Sunday, January 31, 2010

I started this dress at 11 o'clock last night after driving home from a few days at the beach, feeding the girls and putting them to bed.

I made this dress instead of unpacking the car, cleaning up from dinner, searching for school uniforms and shoes, relaxing on the couch with Bren, pulling out jars to sterilise before this week's jam making, cleaning out the stinky fridge, writing lists for the week to come, going to bed or doing anything else remotely useful or productive.

I made this dress in the most impatient manner. When seams were wrong I cut them apart with scissors, I did not measure or pin or baste or press. About half way through, I even admitted to myself that it was a disaster and that no one would ever wear this dress, but I continued on rather than doing any of the things I should have been doing.

I am the procrastinating queen.

Pepper called it the Silly Billy dress when it got stuck on her and I had to cut her out of it.

The Silly Billy dress was made out of an op shopped sheet. To check out some more great op shop finds click on over to Sophie's.

And while you are here, don't forget to place your bid to win this dear little bunny. All proceeds, every single cent, goes to the Haiti relief effort.

Thanks so much to those that have been so generous, encouraging and kind. Thanks also to those who have mentioned my auction on their blogs to help spread the word.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The prize is this dear little bunny crocheted by me from the most beautiful cotton and wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills, Victoria, Australia.

Here's how it's going to work:

This auction is open to all readers world-wide. Please include your email address if you don't have a public profile on your blog.

All bids for the bunny are to be in Australian dollars, and indicated in the comments section of this post.

After you leave the comment indicating your bid, please tick the box that subscribes you to the comments of this post so you can stay informed of the new bids.

There is no limit to the number of bids one person can make.

Offers are open from NOW and will remain open until 4 p.m. (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday 2nd of February.

The highest bidder is the winner and must make an online donation to Care Australia or the Haiti relief charity of their choice, and then email me both the receipt and a mailing address - within 48 hours of the closing time.

Go to it. And good luck!

The major earthquake that hit Haiti and is being called the world's worst disaster in recent years was only 18 days ago and already it is no longer mentioned on the front pages of our newspapers.

Please be generous with your bids and remember these families and communities that have been devastated by recent events. Let's try to help these people out with their basic needs like water, fuel, food, shelter and medical assistance.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I had a request for an owl print a while ago so I thought I'd better get printing.

Jazzy is painting her rock family on the other side of the table.

Thank you sooooo much to everyone who has commented or emailed to ask if my printed t'shirts and sheet skirts and dresses are for sale. After the girls go back to school I hope to open an online shop where all of these Foxs Lane handmade goodies will be available to buy.

Watch this space...

And here's the bunny update;

Its a bit slow going at the moment because of a shoulder injury, but I still hope to open the bidding up for auction asap with all proceeds going to the Haiti relief effort.

Monday, January 25, 2010

I was thrilled when Corrie's lovely package arrived containing the pattern that goes up to a size 14 and a lovely little French themed fat quarter.

Thanks Corrie!

I've been dying to get a chance to make it and had a lovely old table cloth put aside.

It never occurred to me that I had never actually made a piece of clothing from a pattern before and that I might find it difficult.

It also never occurred to me that attempting a new skill on the last week of the school holidays when I haven't had a day without a child for six weeks, might not be the greatest idea.

So I cut most bits out more than once and I sewed and unpicked each section at least three times, mostly more. I wandered around the house all day carrying bits of the dress and the instructions reading them over and over.

And in between looking after three of my children and one of their friends, I persevered.

I altered the pattern in a few ways; because of the fabric I used I left off the bottom trim, I didn't make the pockets and I made plain shoulder straps rather than wide, gathered ones.

I am happy with the end result and I think that judging by the fact that Jazzy is asleep right now wearing it, she is too.

I also think that now I have made it once, I could make it again easily.

Thank you all so much for your insightful words on my post about sheets with history. I have decided to sew something for the old owner's Great Granddaughter and then leave them until they call out to me to be made into something.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

My girlfriend gave me this pile of sheets, tablecloths and pillow cases today. They used to belong to her boyfriend's grandparents before he died and she was moved into a nursing home.

To date all the sheets, doilies and tablecloths I have sewn with, have been gifts, op shop or garage sale finds.

I can't work out how I feel about cutting into and sewing with these linens that have a history that I know about.

I have met the old owners and visited their home. I know some of their stories and parts of their history. I cried when I heard he had died.

These are not random bits of fabric but precious pieces of someone's family history.

I think they probably just need to spend a bit of time with the other linens in my stash to become fabric again. Fabric with beautiful colours and patterns but fabric that doesn't feel like I am cutting into history when I cut into it.

Do you think I am being overly sentimental?

If second hand is your thing then head on over to Her Library Adventures to check out what treasures other bloggers have been discovering.

I have made pockets before but they were always the 'cut out a semi circle and overlock around the edges and stitch it to the garment' type pockets. This pocket is all fancy and pleated and lined. I loved making it and think all the clothing I make in the next little while will be pocketed.

Next up was a commission from Jazzy who asked for a skirt with an apron on it, because she is going to be a cooker when she grows up.

I don't know what came over me, but I actually cut into my favourite tea towel and then I sewed a lovely old doily into the waist band.

She's happy, I'm happy and I'm invited to her tea party. Yay!

And finally, here is the progress on the bunny; a head, a body and two arms. Hopefully I'll get a bit of crochet time on the weekend and be able to start the auction for the Haiti relief effort early next week.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

This one was posted off to Miss Muggins for her daughter this morning.

Apologies to all those having a quiet coffee at Breakfast and Beer this morning, who I must have completely freaked out when I spied my beloved wool and hook on top of the fridge and let out an almighty WOOP!

It appears it must have dropped out of the car door when I opened it to pop some take away coffees on the passenger seat earlier in the week.

Thanks so much for all your kind words regarding my loss.

I just read on their site that Craft Hope are about to close temporarily, so I am thinking I might auction the little bunny off when she is finished with all proceeds going to the Haiti relief effort a la' Leonie.

And look what appeared in my mail box this morning to brighten up my Wednesday. The lovely 'I heart handmade & Home' brooch that I won over at Her Library Adventures. Love it!

I hope you come across something you thought you had lost soon. It really is the greatest feeling. XX